Electric vehicle drivers will be able to charge their vehicles in downtown Barriere as early as next year.
Construction of two EV charging stations is slated to start next spring, District of Barriere CAO Bob Payette said.
The move comes two years after the district and the Thompson Nicola Regional District signed an agreement to fund the cost-sharing of installing EV charging stations as part of a larger “Charge North” initiative.
The TNRD earlier this month approved a $5,000 grant from the Canada Community-Building fund (Federal Gas Tax Fund – Community Works Fund) for the project, while the District of Barriere will contribute $10,000 in total towards the costs of the equipment and installation.
“We just thought that this would be another good asset to the community to get people to stop, use the splash pad and go the stores,” TNRD director Bill Kershaw said.
He noted most of the EV stations are put in on pull-put stops at McLure so drivers end up bypassing the community. “This way we’re bringing them into the community.”
